Method of forming tear-off bag supply



July 13, 1965 H. WARP METHOD OF FORMING TEAR-OFF BAG SUPPLY Filed NOV. 17, 1961 INVENTOR- alfiar ggs.

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United States Patent 3,194,124 MEN-Hill) @l'd FflRP/HNG TEAlR-GFF BAG SUPPLY Harold Warp, Chicago, lllh, assignor to Flexl-Glass, Ind,

, a corporation of llllinois Filed Nov. 17, 19st, Ser. No. 153,966 Claims. (@l.

This invention relates to bags and in particular to bags arranged for facilitated dispensing.

Bags, such as for use by a housewife, have conventionally been provided as separate bags retained in a suitable container to be withdrawn by the housewife one at a time as desired. In one improved arrangement, the bags are arranged in a continuous strip to be torn seriatim therefrom. A serious problem arises, however, in such strip arranged bags, namely the difficulty of opening the bag torn from the strip as the confronting surfaces thereof are urged into facial engagement and resist separation, making it difiicult for the housewife to open the bag. This problem is aggravated where the bags are formed of a material such as polyethylene plastic having electrostatic characteristics causing adhesion of the confronting surfaces.

Another disadvantage of the presently known strip arranged bags is the formation thereof from tubular stock which is relatively costly and ditficult to control during the bag forming operations.

The present invention comprehends a new and improved method of forming a tear-off bag supply whereby the supply is arranged for facilitated individual dispensing of the bags as desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of forming a tear-olf bag supply wherein means are provided for facilitated opening of the individual bags.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a method of forming a tear-off bag supply including the steps of cutting the elongated sheet along the longitudinal centerline to form a pair of ribbons having confronting first edges and outer second edges, folding each ribbon along a line extending longitudinally thereon and closely spaced from the longitudinal centerline of the ribbon to define a pair of facially juxtaposed portions with the first edges transposed from the longitudinal centerline of the sheet to outwardly beyond the centerline of the ribbon, joining the ribbon portions along a plurality of transversely extending lines spaced longitudinally of the ribbon to define a series of bags opening toward one edge of the ribbon, and providing means in the ribbon at the lines for facilitating tearing of the ribbon transversely thereacross with the portions of the ribbon adjacent the tear remaining joined to define the sides of bags successively dispensed from the supply.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a method of forming a tear-off bag supply including the further steps of placing a marking band at the longitudinal centerline of the elongated center sheet of plastic material prior to the cutting thereof whereby each of the first edges of the ribbons includes a portion of the marking band for presenting a different visual aspect from the remainder of the bag to facilitate location of this edge by the user during use of the bag.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the formation of a strip of plastic bags by method embodying the invention; j

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the strip illustrating the facilitated dispensing of a bag therefrom;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of a dispensed bag;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 4id of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6. is an elevation of a modified form of bagembodying the invention providing for facilitated use as a garbage can liner.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawing, an elongated plastic sheet it! of a'suitable material, such as polyethylene plastic, is provided in the form of a roll 11 for forming a pair of ribbons l2 and 13 of seriatim connected bags 14.

In illustrating theinvention, an apparatus 15 is shown for use in performing the different steps in the forming of the bags 14; it is to be understood that theapparatus 15 is exemplary only andvariations of the mechanism illustrated may be employed for performing these steps. As shown in FIG. 1, the first step in forming the bags 14 comprises the application of a marking ink in the form of a band 16 to the upper surface of the sheet 10. lllustratively, the band 16 may be applied by an inking roller 17 bearing against the upper surface of the sheet, the sheet being held by a subjacent roller 18 bearing against the under surface of the sheet. A conventional ink delivery roller 19 may be employed for delivering ink to the inking roller 17 in the conventional manner.

Subsequent to the placement of band 16 on the sheet, the sheet it) is cut into two ribbons 2t and 21 by a pair of confronting serrated cutters 22 and 23 longitudinally aligned with the center of the sheet. Thus, the ribbons have either confronting edges 24- and 25 both inked and serrated when they pass from the cutters 2-2 and 23.

The next step in the forming of the bags M as illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises the folding over of the respective ribbons by suitable guides 26 and 27. As shown, the ribbons are folded by the guides 26 and 27 along a line displaced from the longitudinal centerline thereof so that the edges 24 and 25' are displaced inwardly of the outside edges 2% and 29 of the ribbons.

From the folding guides, the folded ribbons are next passed to suitable means for bonding the sheets at longitudinally spaced intervals. along transversely extending bands 36! thereby defining closed side portions of the successive partially formed bags. As indicated above, the sheet ft? may comprise a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene and, thus, the facial joining of the confronting surfaces of the ribbons to define the bands 36 may be effected by suitable heated cylindrical members 31 and 32 having projecting sealing ribs 33 circumferentially spaced corresponding to the desired bag width.

From the band forming means, the ribbons are delivered to perforating means herein illustratively comprising toothed cylinders 34 and 35 co-operating respectively with grooved cylinders 36 and 37. The teeth 33 of the cylinders 34 and 35 are arranged linearly transversely across the cylinders and the rows thereof are spaced circumferentially in accurate correspondence withthe spacing of the ribs 33 of the rollers 31 and 32 so as to perforate the ribbons 2d and 21 on a line bisecting the bands 3i; whereby one-half of each band 39 defines the closed side 3% of a preceding bag and the other half of the band 3t? defines the closed side39 of a succeeding bag. It should be noted that the mid-portion 4d of each bag M is spaced substantially from the bands 3% and the perforations 41 therein provided by the teeth 33 whereby the facially confronting portions of the bag may remain substantially free from surface engagement with each other at the edge 24 (25) assure a facilitated opening of the bag subsequent to its removal from the strip.

To assure accurate alignment of the perforations 41 and bands 30 and to provide synchronization of the apparatus as a whole, suitable drive means, such as chain drives 42 and 43, may be provided for driving the apparatus 15 from a suitable drive means such as motor 44.

In utilizing the bags 14, the housewife as shown in FIG. 2 merely grasps the end bag and tears across the strip along the line defined by the perforations 41 to separate the end bag from the remainder of the strip. During this separating operation, the projecting edge portion 45 of the bag may be grasped, obviating gripping of the confronting surfaces of the mid-portion 40 of the bag thereby permitting the bag to remain open at the edge 24 (25).

The serrated arrangement of the edge 24 (25) facilitates the opening of the bag for insertion of material thereinto. The marking of the edge 2d (25) further facilitates the opening of the bag, particularly where the plastic material comprises thin transparent material such as conventional polyethylene sheeting.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a modified form of bag 114 is shown to comprise a bag generally similar to bag 14 but having an opening 146 therein permitting air to pass therethrough. Thus, the bag 114 may be installed in a garbage can by inserting the bag coaxially therethrough and draping the uper end of the bag over the upper edge of the garbage can whereby the bag hangs downwardly therefrom to the bottom of the garbage can. When garbage is dropped into the bag, the bag enlarges laterally to accomomdate the garbage and the air between the bag and the inner surface of the garbage can walls is displaced upwardly and outwardly through the opening 1-46. Thus, garbage may be added to the bag to substantially fill the entire interior of the can.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The method of forming a supply of plastic bags wherein the bags are arranged for facilitated individual dispensing, comprising the steps of: placing a marking band at the longitudinal centerline of an elongated sheet of plastic material; cutting the elongated sheet along the longitudinal centerline to form a pair of ribbons having confronting first edges and outer second edges, each of said first edges including a portion of said marking folding each ribbon along a line extending longitudinally thereof and closely spaced from the longitudinal centerline or" the ribbon to define a pair of facially juxtaposed portions with said first edges transposed from said longitudinal centerline of the sheet to outwardly beyond said centerline of the ribbon; joining the ribbon portions along a plurality of transversely extending lines spaced longitudinally of the ribbon to define a series of bags opening toward one edge of the ribbon; and providing means in the ribbon at said lines for facilitating tearing of the ribbon transversely thereacross with the portions of the ribbon adjacent the tear remaining joined to define the sides of bags successively dispensed from the supply.

, 2. The method of forming a supply of plastic bags wherein the bags are arranged for facilitated individual dispensing, comprising the steps of: cutting the elongated sheet along the longitudinal centerline thereof to form a pair of ribbons having confronting first edges and outer second edges; folding each ribbon along a line extending longitudinally thereof and closely spaced from the longitudinal centerline of the ribbon to define a pair of facially juxtaposed portions with said first edges transposed from said longitudinal centerline of the sheet to outwardly be yond said centerline of the ribbon; joining the ribbon portions along a plurality of transversely extending lines spaced longitudinally of the ribbon to define a series of bags opening toward one edge of the ribbon; and providing means in the ribbon at said lines for facilitating tearing of the ribbon transversely thereacross with the portions of the ribbon adjacent the tear remaining joined to define the sides of bags successively dispensed from the supply.

3. The method of forming a supply of plastic bags wherein the bags are arranged for facilitated individual dispensing, comprising the steps of: placing a marking band at the longitudinal centerline of an elongated sheet of plastic material; cutting the elongated sheet along the longitudinal centerline to form a pair of ribbons having confronting first edges and outer second edges, each of said first edges including a portion of said marking band and being toothed; folding each ribbon along a line extending longitudinally thereof and closely spaced from the longitudinal centerline of the ribbon to define a pair of facially juxtaposed portions with said first edges transposed from said longitudinal centerline of the sheet to outwardly beyond said centerline of the ribbon; and joining the ribbon portions along a plurality of transversely extending lines spaced longitudinally of the ribbon to define a series of bags opening toward one edge of the ribbon.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said first edges are spaced from said centerline of the ribbon a distance smaller than the spacing of said outer edges from said centerline of the ribbon.

5. The method of forming a supply of plastic bags wherein the bags are arranged for facilitated individual dispensing, comprising the steps of: cutting the elongated sheet along the longitudinal centerline to form a pair of ribbons having confronting first edges and outer second edges; folding each ribbon along a line extending longitudinally thereof and closely spaced from the longitudinal centerline of the ribbon to define a pair of facially juxtaposed portions with said first edges transposed from said longitudinal centerline of the sheet to outwardly beyond said centerline of the ribbon; and joining the ribbon portions along a plurality of transversely extending lines spaced longitudinally of the ribbon to define a series of bags opening toward one edge of the ribbon, said first edges being spaced from said centerline of the ribbon a distance smaller than the spacing of said outer edges from said centerline of the ribbon.

References tilted by the Examiner UNTTED STATES PATENTS 699,875 5/02 Johnston 229-69 781,455 1/05 Parmenter 229-69 2,209,901 7/40 Poppe 93-35 2,220,874 11/40 Waters 93-35 2,224,513 12/40 Holmlund 93-35 2,265,075 12/41 Knuetter 93-35 2,428,266 9/4-7 Daniels 93-35 2,444,685 7/48 Waters 93-35 2,745,592 5/56 Steck. 3,045,891 7/62 Alvarez 93-35 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, FRANK H. BRONAUGH,

Exan'ziizers. 

1. THE METHOD OF FORMING A SUPPLY OF PLASTIC BAGS WHEREIN THE BAGS ARE ARRANGED FOR FACILITATED INDIVIDUAL DISPENSING, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: PLACING A MARKING BAND AT THE LONGITUDINAL CENTERLINE OF AN ELONGATED SHEET OF PLASTIC MATERIAL; CUTTING THE ELONGATED SHEET ALONG THE LONGITUDINAL CENTERLINE TO FORM A PAIR OF RIBBONS HAVING CONFRONTING FIRST EDGES AND OUTER SECOND EDGES, EACH OF SAID FIRST EDGES INCLUDING A PORTION OF SAID MARKING BAND; FOLDING EACH RIBBON ALONG A LINE EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF AND CLOSELY SPACED FROM THE LONGITUDINAL CENTERLINE OF THE RIBBON TO DEFINE A PAIR OF FACIALLY JUXTAPOSED PORTIONS WITH SAID FIRST EDGES TRANSPOSED FROM SAID LONGITUDINAL CENTERLINE OF THE SHEET TO OUTWARDLY BEYOND SAID CENTERLINE OF THE RIBBON; JOINING THE RIBBON PORTIONS ALONG A PLURALITY OF TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING LINES SPACED LONGITUDINALLY OF THE RIBBON TO DEFINE A SERIES OF BAGS OPENING TOWARD ONE EDGE OF THE RIBBON; AND PROVIDING MEANS IN THE RIBBON AT SAID LINES FOR FACILITATING TEARING OF THE RIBBON TRANSVERSELY THEREACROSS WITH THE PORTIONS OF THE RIBBON ADJACENT THE TEAR REMAINING JOINED TO DEFINE THE SIDES OF BAGS SUCCESSIVELY DISPENSED FROM THE SUPPLY. 